Branding machine



NOV. 27, 1934. R M Z|MBER ET AL '1,981,892

BRANDING MACHINE Filed oct. 5, 1929 5 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTQR E. V/65 BMLW ATTRNEY NOV. 27, 1934. R, M Z|MBER E- AL 1,981,892

BRANDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 1934. R. M. zlMBl-:R Er 'AL 1,981,392

BRANDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 5, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 NOV. 27, 1934. R, M- zlMBER Er AL 1,981,892

BRANDING MACHINE Filed 00h 5. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 #AK/if ALEX/www5? 1 EV. E- l BY ATTORNEY Nov. 27, 1934. R. M. ZIMBER ET Ax. 1,981,892

BRANDING MACHINE Filed 001;. 5, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 TTYL- BY I! Y 9 I ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 27, 1934.

UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICEv y 1,981,892 l BRANDING MACHINE Application OctoberS, 1929, Serial No. 397,608

25 Claims.

This invention relates to branding devices and with particularity to methods and means for branding the bases of lamps, vacuum tubes, audions, or the like.

Heretofore various devices have been employed for the purpose of impressing characteristic marks, names, designations, etc. on the base portions of vacuum tubes, lamps, or similar articles. In the case of those devices having composition bases, it has been found that by using a heated brand a more permanent impression is produced. However, in the machines and methods usually employed for effecting such branding, because of the varying characteristicsl and shapes of the bases, the impression produced therein varies from one base to another. Thus, in one known method the base or article to be branded is held in a substantially flxed gripping member and the rigid die is pressed into the material of the base.

I As a result of this method when bases having different degrees of hardness are employed the die member makes correspondingly different degrees of impressions. It is, therefore, one of the principal objects ofthe present invention to provide .a method of branding or impressing designations on impressionable materials whereby a uniformity of impression is obtained even though materials of widely different hardness characteristics are being impressed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for automatically impressing designations on the base portions of lamps, vacuum tubes, audions, or similar articles.

A feature of the invention relates to a machine of the continuously operating type for branding impressionable materials, especially such materials as are used for the bases of lamps, vacuum tubes, audions and the like.

Another feature of the invention relates to a branding machine of the rotary head type wherein means are provided for ejecting the branded article at a predetermined point in the operation of the machine.

Another feature of the invention relates to a branding machine wherein the depth of the brand v may be accurately gauged and uniform impresits own axis at a predetermined point in the rotary motion of the head.

A further feature resides in the manner of yieldably mounting a branding die.

A still further feature resides in a base branding machine wherein the base to be branded is moved against a yieldable die to effect the lmpression, but the depth of impression is gauged by a xed stop.

Another feature relates to the organization, arrangement and relative location of parts which by their individual and combined action go to make up an efficient machine for branding the bases of vacuum tubes, lamps, etc.

Other features and advantages not specifically enumerated will be apparent after a consideration of the following description and the appended claims.

While the invention will be described hereinafter as applied to a machine for impressing characteristic designations upon the bases of vacuum tubes, it will bev understood that the different features are applicable to a machine for branding any other kind of article.

Accordingly, Figure 1 of the drawings shows a front view, in elevation, of a machine embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a right-hand view in elevation of the chine of Fig. 1;

ig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 and in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the die and die mount;

Fig. 6 is a view in section along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 'lis a view in section along the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken, along the line 8-8 of Fig. 1 to show the base ejecting means according to the invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the manner of mounting the die in its trunnion like bearings;

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the polishing mechanism;

Fig. 11 shows an alternative manner of ejecting the bases after branding and polishing.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 I Vbase 11. The front end of shaft 8 carries a large circular casting or head 12 having a-plurality of radially extending fins 13. Casting 12 carries on its front face near the periphery thereof a series 'of hollow bosses 1 4 in which are mounted for individual rotation, the mandrels for supporting the vacuum tube bases 16.

As shown more in detail in Fig. 8 of the drawings, each mandrel comprises a solid head portion attached by means of screws 17 to the end of the hollow shaft portion 18 which passes through and rotates within the associated boss 14. The mandrel head is provided' ,with a central bore 19 through which passes the baseejecting plunger 20. The right-hand end of the mandrel shaft 18 carries integrally therewith a pinion gear 2 1 and a radially extending arm 22 `which carries a roller 23. A spring 24 has one end seated against one end of the shaft 18 and the other end against the head 25 of the plunger 20 normally to maintain the plunger in the position shown in Fig. 8. Fastened to the front end of member 18 by suitable screws 26 is a at metal .strip 27 having a slot 28 in the end thereof to receive the side pin 29 which is usually provided on standard makes of vacuum tube bases by means of which the base may be easily and properly positioned on the mandrel. With each of the plungers in the position shown in Fig. 8 the vacuum tube bases 16 are adapted to be positioned over the mandrels '15 with the usual contact prongs 30 extending outwardly from the front ofthe machine. Thus the mandrel 15 is adapted to receive different types of bases, that is bases having different numbers of contact prongs. The function of thege'ar 21 attached to the mandrel shaft is to rotate the said mandrel and the base 16, which is mounted thereon, at the proper point during the rotation of the head 12, as will be hereinafter described.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2 there is mounted on the base 12 a casting 31 which is provided with an annular' track or shrouded cam 32 in which ride the projecting ends of the plungers 24, as Well as the rollers 23.' As shown more clearly in Figs. 1 .and 4 the track 32 is discontinuous between the points 33 and 34. Consequently as the casting 12 rotates in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 1) the mandrels 15 and the' bases 16, which are mounted thereon, are all maintained in a xed and denite angular relation with respect to the center of the shaft 8 by means of the rollers 23 which ride in the track 32. Howeven when a mandrel assembly reaches the point. 34 it is adapted to be rotated in the direction of the dotted arrow (Fig. 1) by means of a segmental rack bar 35 which is mounted for lateral adjustment in a frame 36 attached to base 11. Rack 35 is positioned so as to be inalignment with the path of travel of the gears 21. Thus as a roller 23 disengages the track 32 at the point 34 the associated base 41.

pinion gear 2l engages the rack 35 and the mandrel assembly with the base 16 thereon is caused to roll ina counter-clockwise direction over the branding die 37.

As shown clearly in Figs. 4, 5 and 9, the branding mechanism comprises a casting 38 provided at opposite ends with integral sleeves 39 which t over corresponding uprights 40 attached to the Passing through the casting 38 and adapted to be adjustably screwed into the base 41 are two posts 42. Surrounding said posts and adapted to maintain the casting 38 in its uppermost position are two springs 43, the lower ends of which are seated against the base 4l and the upper ends of which are seated within corresponding depressions in the lower face of casting 38. By means of the adjustable nature of the posts 42 the uppermost position of the casting 38 under control of springs 43 may be regulated. The central portion of casting 38 is provided With an opening 44 through whichextend the gas burners 45, these burners being connected to a suitable supply pipe 46 through a manifold 47.

Attached by screws 49 to the upper face of mem- `ber 38 and on opposite sides of the opening 44 are two uprights 50, 51.

As shown in detail in Fig. 9 each of these latter uprights is provided with a semi-circular cut out portion 52 inwhich is adapted to rest the corresponding semi-circular member 53. Member 53 is provided with a pin 54 and an extension 55 having a flat upper face 56. 'I'he die member 37 is provided at opposite ends with openings 58 to receive the pins 54 and when thus assembled the at face 56 rests against the lower face of the die 57, In effect there is provided, therefore, a rectangular die which is capable of rocking motion within the depressions 52 but is prevented from lateral displacement in the members 50. The upper face of the die 37 as shown in Fig. 4 is provided with the appropriate inscriptions or designs to be branded into the bases 16.

For the purpose of regulating accurately the depth of the brand in the bases 16 the member v38'is provided at its rear with an upwardly extending rib 59. Member 59 is in alignment with the path of the circular bearing rings 60 which are mounted on the mandrel shaft 18, as shown more clearly in Figs. 6 and 8 of the drawings, these rings being preferably provided with anti-frictional or ball bearings on the member 18. Consequently, as the base 16 reaches the branding position it presses against the die 57 and tends to force the same downwardly and because of 4the heat of the die the latter forces itself into the material of the base 16 under control of the springs 43. However, the depth of the brand is limited by the engagement of the rib 59 with the ring 60.

For the purpose of ejecting the bases after they have been branded there is provided a circular cam 61 having a plurality of teeth 62, there being one of these teeth for each mandrel assembly. If desired the cam 61 may be separate from, but fastened to the casting 12 or it may be formed integral therewith, as represented more clearly in Fig. 3. .As shown in Figs. 2 and 3 there is affixed to the base 11 a standard 63, and attached to the left-hand side of the` member 63 is a bracket 64 in which is pivotally mounted the arm 65. Arm 65 is provided at spring 72, the other end of said spring being attached to a projection 73 on the bearing 68. As the roller 69 rides on the flat or raised portion of the teeth 62v the plunger 67 is maintained in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings and in this position the laterally extending arm 74 attached to member 66 is in its most backward position, as shown in Fig. 3. It -will be noted that the inner wall of the casting' 31 is cut away at this particular point to permit the arm 74 to pass therethrough. With the arm 74 in the position shown in Fig. 3 the base ejectting plunger 20 is maintained out of engagement with the base 16 as shown in Fig. 8 under control of spring 24. On the other hand, when the roller enters a depression in the cam 62 the spring 72 forces the plunger 67 towards the left, whereupon the arm 74 engages plunger 20 which in turn engages the base 16 and ejects it from the mandrel 15, whereupon it is dropped into a suitable chute 75, this chute and the ejecting .position being shown clearly in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

With the above description of the structure of the machine it is believed that the method of operation will now be clearly understood. For this purpose it will be assumed that the machine is about to be started and a base 16 to be branded is placed upon the mandrel 15 at the position vrepresented by the letter A (Fig. 1) which may be termed the loading position. It will be `understood that the base 16 is placed upon the mandrel 15 with the side pin 29 entering the slot 28 in the member 27 hereinabove described, thus accurately positioning the base prior to branding. The motor 1 having been started the head I12'rotates in the direction of the arrow (Fig. 1)

carrying with it the base 16. Because of the fact that the roller 23, attached to the mandrel shaft, is riding in track 32 the base 16 is prevented from rotating about its own axis. However, as the head 12 continues to rotate the roller 23 disengages the track 32 and at the same time gear 21 attached tothe mandrel shaft engages the rack bar 35 and causes the base to be rotated about its axis in such a manner that when it reaches the die 57 the said base presents the proper portion of its surface thereto. The base continues to rotate or roll over the die at the same time that it is being branded and its rotation is continued until the gear 21 disengages the rack 35 at its left hand end. In this position the associated roller 23 re-engages the track 32 to maintain the mandrelassembly in the proper relative position preparatory to loading. The 'head continues to rotate until the base 16 which has been branded reaches the ejecting position represented by the letter B (Fig. 1). In this position the arm 74 is moved towards the left (Fig. 3) in the manner hereinabove described and causes the plunger 20 to force the base 16 oli the mandrel head 12 and into the conveyor chute 75. While the above description of the method of operation relates to a single base, it will be understood that the machine is being continually loaded at the point A and the 'above operation is repeated as each successive `base is brought to the respective branding and 'ejecting positions.

l While the ejecting position is shown as at one particular point in the drawings, it will be under- 'stood that it may be located at such a point 'that the bases will have an opportunity'to dry 'or harden before they are ejected from the 31 which guides the mandrel arms 23 hereinabove described, has a projection 76 at the point C (Fig. .10) and when a plunger head 25 engages this projection the base is ejected as shown in Fig. 11. However, it may be found desirable to polish each base after it is branded and before it is ejected, in which case there is mounted on base 11 (Fig. 10) a pulley 77 which is driven through mechanism (not shown) from the motor 1. Pulley 77 in turn drives a pulley '78 attached to shaft 79. Shaft 79 is mounted in a suitable standard 80 and carries at one end a polishing or bufiing wheel 81 adapted to engage a base just before it reaches the ejecting position. It will be understood that wheel 81 is driven at a sufficiently high speed to effect a sufficient polish on the base as the latter reaches the ejecting position.

While specific parts and organization of parts have been" disclosed, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the character described a continuously moving platform carrying a plurality of articles to be branded, a yieldably supported die, means for heating said die, and means for positively limiting the depth of impression caused by said die.

2. In a machine of the character described a rotating head, a plurality of work supporting members carried by said head and rotatably mounted thereon, means for preventing rotation of a supporting member about its axis during one part of the movement of said head, means for rotating said member, a branding die cooperating with each of said members while the member is rotating about its axis, and means for positively limiting the depth of impression caused by said die.

3. In a machine of the character described the combination of a rotatable head, a plurality of members rotatably mounted in said head each adapted to receive an article to be branded, means for rotating said head to bring each of said articles in succession in registry with said die, means associated with said die for pressing the latter into the surface of each article, and means for positively limiting the impression caused by said die in said articles.

4. In a machine of the character described the combination of a head mounted for rotation about a fixed axis, a plurality of members mounted for individual rotation in said head, each member adapted to support an article to receive a characteristic designation, a die, means for rotating said head to bring each article in succession into registry with said die, means effective upon such registry for rolling the article with its surface in contact with said die, and means for positively 1 limiting the impression on said article due to said die.

5. A machine according to claim 4 in which the die is provided with means for heating the same.

6. A machine according to claim 4 in which the die is yieldably mounted.

7. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable head, a plurality of members mounted for individual rotation in said head, each of said members having a portion adapted to fit within a hollow article to be branded, a die, means for rotating said head to bring each article in succession into registry with said die, a rigid stop associated with each of said members and bearing a definite position with respect to the surface of each article, another stop carried by the die, both of said stops cooperating positively to limit the depth of impression in the articles due to said die.

8. A machine according to claim 7 in which the die is heated and adapted to be yieldably pressed into the article to be branded.

9. In a machine of the character described the combination of a rotatable member having a portion adapted to i'lt within the base of a vacuum tube, lamp or similar article, a yieldably mounted die, means for heating said'die, means for rolling the base over the face of said die, and means for positively limiting the impression in the surface of the base due to said die. l

10. A machine according to claim 9 in which the means for limiting the impression comprises a stop member associated with each base support` ing member and bearing a definite relation to the surface of the base to be branded, and another member carried by the die.

11. In a machine of the character described, a branding die, means for heating said die. a frame in which said die is mounted, means for. yieldably supporting said frame ona fixed base. means for rolling each base in succession over the face of lsaid die, and adjustable means for limiting the die impression to a predetermined depth.

l2. In a machine'of the character described, a fixed base, a plurality of guide posts, a die supporting frame, means for yieldably supporting said frame on s aid base, a die mounted insaid frame, a stop member carried by said frame, a stop member associated with each article bearing a definite relation to the surface thereof. and cooperating with the first mentioned stop member positively to limit the depth of impression due to the die.

13. In a machine of the character described a moving platform and meansfor supporting the base of a vacuum tube, lamp or similar article on said platform, the last mentioned means including a member rotatably mounted in said platform, said member having a head portion adapted to receive the base to be branded, and a reciprocable plunger passing through said member, a branding die for making an impression in said base, and means for positively limiting the depth of impression by said die.

14. A machine according to claim 13 in which said head portion is adapted to iit within the vacuum tube base.

15. In a machine of the character described a rotatable head, a plurality of' members mounted r plunger associated with each of said members,

and an operating member common to all said plungers and adapted periodically to be actuated by said toothed cam.

16. In a machine of the character described .1 the combination of a rotatable head, a plurality of members mounted for individual rotation` in said head, a support member having an end portion adapted to receive the base of a vacuum tube,

lamp or similar article,- a gear attached to said member, a segmental rack, and means for rotating said head to bring each of said gears successively into engagement with said rack, a die for branding said base, and means for positively limiting the impression caused by said die.

17. A machine according to claim 16 in which a stationary track is mounted adjacent to said head, and each of said members has attached thereto an arm running in said track to prevent rotation of the associated member when the gear is out of engagement with the rack.

18. A machine according to claim 16 in which the segmental rack is adjustably mounted with relation to the rotatable head.

19.' In a machine of the character described, a moving platform, a plurality of members mounted for individual rotation in said platform,each member having a portion adapted to receive and support the base of a. vacuum tube, lamp or similar article, a branding die, means for rolling each of said bases in succession over the face of said die, means for mounting said die for rockingmotion, and means for positively limiting the depth of the brand caused by said die.

20. In a machine of the character described means for mounting a die for rocking motion comprising a plurality of die supportshaving curved depressions therein, a trunnion like support removably attached to each end of the die, and adapted to iit Within said depression.

21. In a machine of the character described the combination of a continuously moving plat form, a plurality of members mounted for individual rotation in said head, each of said members having a portion adapted to receive the base of a vacuum tube, lamp or similar article, a yieldably supported branding diel adjacent said platform, means for positively limiting the depth of the brand caused by said die, means for .rolling each of the bases in succession over the face of said die, and means for automatically ejecting the bases from the machine after they have received the impression from said die.

22. A machine according to claim 21 in which the ejecting means includes a reciprocating plunger.

23. In a machine of the character described, means for branding a base, means for positively limiting the depth of the brand, and means for burnishing the base after branding.

24. In a machine of the character described, a rotatable head, means for mounting a plurality of vacuum tube bases or the like for individual rotation in said head, means for preventing rotation of said base during a portion of each revolution of 'the head and including a circular track fixedly mounted with respect to said head', a branding die,` and means for positively limiting the depth of impression caused by said die.

25. In a machine of the character described the combination of a rotatable mandrel having a solid nead portion adapted to fit closely within the base of a vacuum tube, lamp or similar article, means for positioning said base at a definite angular position on said mandrel comprising a pin carried by Ithe base and a slotted member carried by the mandrel, said mandrel being provided with a longitudinal bore and a yieldable plunger passing through said bore, and means for periodically operating said plunger to eject the base from the mandrel.

RAYMOND M. ZIMBER. HARRY ALEXANDER. 

